Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern

489 A Old Coach Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813

American

License: Seats - 50 or More

Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2023, Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern has four inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 4, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Compared to the prior visit, inspectors found more to write up: five violations versus zero before.

Across the inspection history, insects, rodents & animals not present is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

By comparison, the average Charlestown facility scores 89, putting Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 4, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Raw animal foods (liquid eggs) were observed stored above ready-to-eat foods (cheese) in the walk-in refrigerator. Raw animal foods must be separated from raw ready-to-eat food such as vegetables during storage.

3-302.11

Floor and wall junctures not properly coved or sealed

Inspector notes: The floor and wall junctures in the basement prep area do not have coving. The floor and wall junctures must be coved and closed to no larger than 1/32nd of an inch.

6-201.13

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the kitchen & basement, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.

6-202.15

Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Shrimp was observed stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Food must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.

3-305.11

Cutting surfaces scratched, scored, or no longer cleanable

Inspector notes: The cutting boards in the kitchen are very scratched and scored. Cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.

4-501.12

Sep 27, 2023

Re-Inspection

No violations found.

100

Sep 14, 2023

Re-Inspection

1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food was observed held at 46-51 degrees Fahrenheit in the prep unit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per person in charge, food had not been out of temperature for longer than 4 hours. Food was relocated to the walk-in cooler during time of inspection. The ambient air temperature was observed at 44 degrees Fahrenheit during time of inspection. Prep unit was taken out of service during time of inspection and must not be used until it can maintain an internal food temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Per person in charge, prep unit is scheduled to be fixed.

3-501.16(A)

Aug 23, 2023

Routine

3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation. 4 corrected on site.

View 8 violations

Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The dishwasher failed to wash his/her hands between loading soiled and unloading clean dishes from the dishwasher. Food employees must clean their hands after handling soiled equipment or utensils.

2-301.14

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Spring rolls, cheese, and cooked garlic gloves were observed held at 48-53 degrees Fahrenheit in prep unit #3. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per person in charge food had been out of temperature for more than 4 hours. Food was voluntarily disposed of (see attached disposal form).

3-501.16(A)

Sewage backflow not prevented

Inspector notes: The prep sink in the basement is lacking an air gap. Prep sink has air break. A direct connection must not exist between the sewage system and a drain originating from equipment in which food is placed.

5-402.11

Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food

Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the specials menu that are raw or undercooked.

3-603.11

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

Inspector notes: Shellfish tags are not stored in chronological order and do not have the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag. Shellfish tags must be maintained for 90 days in chronological order and the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag must be noted on the shellfish tag.

3-402.12

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (both ice machines) were observed with an accumulation of biofilm. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Both ice machines were emptied and cleaned during time of inspection.

4-601.11(A)

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (potato dicer in basement) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.

4-601.11(A)

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The doors to the outside, located in the basement and ware-washing area upstairs, are not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.

6-202.15

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern on file is from Sep 4, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern?

Across the inspection record, insects, rodents & animals not present has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern.

How does Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern compare to other restaurants in Charlestown?

Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Charlestown average of 89.

Has Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern have flagged more violations than earlier ones, ticking from about zero per visit to around five more recently.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Charlestown Rathskeller Tavern is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

The Nordic

178 Nordic Trail

Score: 95 — Low Risk

Annas Specialty Cakes and Desserts

178 Nordic Trail

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Camp Jori

1065 Worden Pond Road

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Charlestown → American restaurants in Rhode Island → American restaurants in Charlestown